Maxwell Konadu: "We are ready"

Black Stars caretaker coach Maxwell Konadu says his charges are ready for today’s Africa Cup of Nations final qualifier against Togo in Tamale.

Coach Konadu has mapped out a strategy to deepen the woes of the Hawks who lost heavily to Guinea last Saturday in Lome.

Even a draw will see Ghana join the already qualified 10 teams for the Equatorial Guinea tournament, but indications are that the Stars will settle for nothing but a win.

The Black Stars, like their Togolese counterparts, fumbled in their penultimate game against Uganda four days ago in Kampala and have vowed to go for results that will not only get them a ticket but also endear them to their fans.

To the playing body, they owe the Tamale fans tons of appreciation for showing them massive support and love the last time they played against Guinea.

Besides, the presence of incoming coach Avram Grant in the stands, will to some extent bring the best out of the players, to win his heart for future engagements.

The likelihood of substantive captain Asamoah Gyan returning after close to a month’s absence due to a thigh injury to partner ‘released’ Jordan Ayew has added bite to the attacking line.

It is most likely coach Konadu will maintain goalkeeper Razak Braimah, who failed to keep a clean sheet on his debut competitive national assignment, as well as Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman and Jonathan Mensah.

Whether or not he will maintain John Boye or partner Mensah and Awal Mohammed remains a question crying for an answer.

Rabiu Mohamed and Agyeman Badu are probable starters too, just like smallish Solomon Asante, who spent few minutes on the field but impressed in Kampala.

It will take extra efforts from the visitors, who are still licking their deep wounds, to pose a threat to the hungrier Ghanaians.